rev:text
| - I am obsessed with the Netherlands and Borrel looked too cute and too European for me to resist.
I came here with 2 other friends on a Sunday afternoon and the restaurant was completely full. This restaurant is in a 'house'? Their space is VERY limited. The restaurant opened at 2 and we got there at 2:30. When we walked in, EVERY SINGLE PATRON stared at my friends and I because that is how TINY this restaurant is.
We ended up waiting for about 1 hour plus before sitting down. The service was a little bit weird. A family came in after us, and they sat down before us.. and we had to wait another 20 minutes for another group to leave... I don't know how my friends and I were so patient to keep waiting. Probably because we were really looking forward to Dutch food.
Aside from the questionable service, the food was delicious! I ordered the Maatjesharing (raw herring) and shared it with my friends and it was really good. The herring paired with the onions and pickles was DELICIOUS. I also ordered the Erwtensoep (a.k.a. "Snert", pea soup with ham) for myself and that was really good too. The pea soup was ultra thick and you can taste some tendrils along with the soup. It had a really interesting texture. (Sounds strange, but it was good). My friends ordered the Boerenkool (stewed kale and potato mash served with Dutch smoked sausage, bacon lardons and gravy) and the Frikandel Speciaal (A deep-fried beef, pork and chicken sausage). They said the Boerenkool didn't taste any extra ordinary (yes, two words), but the friend who ordered the deep fried hotdog REALLY liked it.
My comfort zone of Toronto is from Bathurst to Church and from Bloor and Front. I always love trying new restaurants outside of this block of comfort. Borrel is delicious and fun, especially if you want to get away from the craziness of the downtown core and have a little taste of Europe.
TLDR; Good snack bar, but very tight seating. I'd recommend coming during non-peak hours and trying the Erwtensoep, the Maatjesharing, and the Frikandel Speciaal.
|